Meanwhile, Jeff Robson will take over the starting hooking role, with Matt Keating to come off the bench.
Parramatta insiders say this is the formation the team has been training in during the week, and barring a late change of heart from coach Daniel Anderson, will be the way the side lines up against the Raiders.
As I reported at the beginning of the season, the club viewed the Mortimer/Keating combination as the side's longer-term halves combination. However, coach Daniel Anderson considered it prudent to try and retain as many of the combinations that were built up in last year's run-up to the grand final, which led to him sticking with the halves combination that finished the year last year.
However, with the side struggling for form and hitting a low with their scoreless loss to the Sharks, Anderson has this week bitten the bullet and the halves that have been viewed as the Eel's longer-term combination will be paired together for the first time since their Under 20 days.
For both players, this represents an important game. The Mortimer family has been very vocal in their desire to see Daniel play at seven, despite the fact that he has limited experience in the role even in junior football. Struggling for form in the early rounds, Mortimer must take-on more responsibility but will likely be expected to simply steer the side around the park and concentrate on his kicking game.
For Kris Keating, the selection will mark his return to his preferred position at six where he played all of his junior football. While he had success in the halfback role during 2009, it is known he feels most comfortable in the five-eighth role and that is where he sees his future in the game. Off contract for next year, Keating will now have the opportunity to prove if he is capable of excelling at NRL level.
While the match is important for both players, Anderson is likely to give the pair every chance to develop a combination.
Meanwhile, Jeff Robson has been retained in the starting side but will move to the hooking role, where he played for some time during both the trials and the Round Two match against Manly. As a tough defender but with limited dummy half experience, his role will likely be to get the pack rolling forward as well as taking advantage of his dummy half kicking. Matt Keating, who is the stronger dummy half runner, should have more liberty and opportunity to run in an interchange role.
Replies
Go kill it on monday KK and DM, and good luck to Robbo as a hooker!
I think this is a positive move, to delay it any further would be detrimental IMO.
However, I don't think it can do anything but improve the team. I think it will give the club some stability knowing who their halves are and Robson should help with directing the team at hooker. I feel sorry for MK losing his starting spot as I think he's a victim of his forward pack not making the ground a hooker needs to perform, but then again coming off the bench could give him more opportunity to play his natural game as well.
I just wanna c parra giv it a good crack and focus on the match. not go out with the attitude they have been. Go PARRA
This, I think, is the best possible half pairing the Eels have at the moment and applaud Ando for making the change this early in the season.
I will be very interested to see how Robbo goes starting at Hooker. His defence will be fine, and i have no doubt his ball distribution will be good. I just hope he is able to direct the forwards from this position and get the team moving forward quicker than it has been. Matt might relish the opportunity to come on from the bench for a while..... i think hes down on confidence and I see this as a positive move.
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